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The USWNT\u2019s set of friendlies in Brazil against Brazil were insanely chaotic to say the least. It was certainly a learning experience for Emma Hayes\u2019 team who mentioned after the first game that they will have to adjust to environments like this. It\u2019s important to remember outside of Triple Expresso, Lindsey Heaps and Emily Sonnett this is an incredibly young squad who has not been in an environment like what it was in Brazil. Brazil deserves credit for how they took on the USWNT in the first game but the second game was an embarrassment for their federation to see eight total red cards handed out during the game. That was all because of how the USWNT adjusted to the physicality of Brazil. While the USWNT didn\u2019t play at their absolute best, this will be a huge help in preparation for the World Cup in Brazil next summer. Let\u2019s take a closer look at the two friendlies between the USWNT and Brazil.<\/span><\/p>\n The USWNT came out in the first five minutes of the first match against Brazil with pressure and purpose. It didn\u2019t take long for their press to force an early mistake, a mistake that Sophia Wilson punished easily with a great finish.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Sophia Wilson scores her first USWNT goal since 2024 and in less than TWO MINUTES \ud83d\ude24 pic.twitter.com\/G7IB2l1nFA<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 B\/R Football (@brfootball) June 6, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Yet, the early goal wouldn\u2019t be enough for the USWNT to sustain and it didn\u2019t take long for Brazil to respond. Team USA\u2019s defense was soon under siege and the blitz was too much for the backline to handle. Two quick goals in three minutes showed a weakness that other teams can exploit. Teams will have the belief that if we apply pressure to their backline they can be beaten in 1v1 situations. Emily Fox unfortunately misjudged the ball in the air and missed which led to the first goal and the second was an error from Lily Yohannes which put the defense in a tough position. Brazil\u2019s finishing was on point, giving Sele\u00e7\u00e3o a 2-1 lead that they would not relinquish. Of course, the USWNT pushed for the equalizer but always seemed to be missing the final pass or finish necessary to tie the game. Lily Yohannes didn\u2019t play at her best and seemed to be forcing the issue at times instead of making the simple pass. Brazil were also very physical with the United States as most teams are, and the referee let quite a lot go in terms of contact. It feels like Lindsey Heaps gets fouled hard once or twice a game with no call. Those hits add up throughout the game, it leads to frustration and taking the USWNT off their game just enough to where Brazil was able to see the game out and win 2-1.<\/span><\/p>\n That\u2019s what makes the second game that much better for the USWNT. They might not have scored as many goals as they would have liked in the game. KC Current goalkeeper Lorena was incredible in the second game with the saves she made, especially the point blank save on Sophia Wilson that is a goal nine times out of ten.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n How did Brazil GK Lorena keep the USWNT out here? \ud83d\ude2f pic.twitter.com\/SASZGGUtCB<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 B\/R Football (@brfootball) June 10, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n This time it was the USWNT who would do the provoking and getting under Brazil\u2019s skin to take them off their game. It worked to perfection and showed that the Brazilians can be emotional when you give them a taste of their own medicine. Sophia Wilson would eventually find the net on the huge deflection that would be changed to an own goal but it was deserved based on the flow of the game.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n SOPHIA WILSON DOES NOT GIVE UP https:\/\/t.co\/gQcZQ5T1fd<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/WI5XI4W3ni<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 CAPTCHA \ud83e\ude85 (@FootyFilmzz) June 10, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n The red cards would become the story and take over what was a very entertaining and close game otherwise. It will definitely be a day to forget for Brazil as a whole. To have four coaches sent off including the manager is not a good example to set for anyone. Complaining to the referee is one thing but crowding them after every single decision you don\u2019t agree with isn\u2019t acceptable either. Instead of the USWNT approaching the referee for calls, it flipped with Brazil almost expecting calls to go their way since they were at home. The first player to receive a red card was Bia Zaneratto, and Emily Sonnett baited her perfectly. Sonnett gave her a little bump in the back, and Bia shoved her hard but not enough to go to the ground. The referee saw it and had no choice but to give a second yellow and send her off.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n SOPHIA WILSON DOES NOT GIVE UP https:\/\/t.co\/gQcZQ5T1fd<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/WI5XI4W3ni<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 CAPTCHA \ud83e\ude85 (@FootyFilmzz) June 10, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n That\u2019s a tactic out of Brazil\u2019s playbook and it would anger the Brazilians even more. Tarciane would be next to be sent off, this time a brutal elbow in frustration on Sophia Wilson. There can be no disputes about that one, it was a clear red card. The referee would hand out two more red cards to Kerolin and Ludmila after the final whistle, indicating that they still weren\u2019t able to control themselves once the match ended. Marta complained in post game saying the referee made it about her when in reality Paola Cebollada Lopez did what she had to, to get control of the game. While the USWNT split this series, they learned a lot about themselves and how they would respond when pushed. This team showed that they will not back down, they have the ability to push through adversity and win a chaotic game like this one. It won\u2019t always be a perfect win for the USWNT, these are the types of matches they\u2019ll have to win if they want to become World Champions again. This team just got a whole lot tougher both physically and mentally as they look to build towards next year\u2019s World Cup.<\/p>\n Featured image via @uswnt<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n <\/div>\n\n
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